Copperbelt province Ebola alert

The Parliamentary Committee on Health has been assured that the Copperbelt Provincial medical team has put in place measures that would help minimize the risks of an outbreak of the Ebola virus.
Copperbelt Provincial Medical Officer Cositi Mwale made the assurance when he made a presentation to the Parliamentary Committee on Health, Community Development and Social Services at his office in Ndola yesterday.
The parliamentary Committee is in the province to check on the preparedness against a possible outbreak of the Ebola virus on the Copperbelt.
The Parliamentary Committee on Health which is headed by Senanga Central Constituency Member of Parliament (MP) Likando Mufalali included Mumbwa Member of Parliament Brain Chituwo, Munji Habeenzu, the MP for Chikankata and Mwalimu Sifukwe who is Mbala MP.
Others were Antonio Carlos who is Kaoma Central MP, Eddie Musonda MP for Kapiri Mposhi Central and Rodgers Lingweshi who is Mangango MP.
Dr Mwale said the province has an appreciable number of health care workers in most districts as per the given establishment.
“There are more health care workers in urban areas compared to the rural districts which implies that the human resource is available to handle potential disease outbreaks given the necessary training and logistics,” Dr. Mwale noted.
The Copperbelt PMO said active disease surveillance and sensitization efforts have been intensified in view of Ebola scares in the province.
“This has resulted in heightened surveillance activities at all ports of entry into the province namely Simon Mwansa Kapwepwe International Airport, Kasumbalesa, Mokambo, and Sakania borders all sharing boundaries with Congo DRC,” he said.
He further said there will be continuous active diseases surveillance and screening of all travelers at points of entry in the province.
“We have printing of Ebola information leaflets for distribution through health facilities and public places on Ebola Virus Disease control measures and also health facilities in districts have been conducting public awareness and sensitization efforts on Ebola Virus Disease prevention on a routine basis,” Dr. Mwale explained.
He further added that the provincial Medical Office continued with weekly monitoring and evaluation of preventing of the Ebola situation reports in West Africa in order to alert district hospitals of prevailing situations in other countries.